Electrical switch



lPatented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,725,606 PATENTl OFFICE.

EDWARD H. WEATHER-HEAD, or `CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, oiiro, Assrcivon 'ro THEBisi-roi sa BABeocK coivirANYyoE CLEVELAND, oHio, A coEroRA'rIoN orOHIO.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Application filed March 3,'1923. Serial No. 622,464.

The present invention relates. to switch mechanism, the principal objectof the invention being the provision et a simple and quick acting snapswitch.' ATo the accom- 5 plishment of the foregoing and related end s,

said invention, then,*consists of the means hereinafter full describedand particularly pointed out in the claim.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprincipleof the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a vertical section through one formof. my improved switch mechanism Vsliowning the parts thereof inelevation; Fig. 2 is a similar v iew, but showing a modivfied form ofmechanism; and Fig. -3 is a section on the line 8-3, in Fig. 1.

In Fig.` 1 there is shown a casing 1, in which is mounted the switchmechanism proper, the switch mechanism being designed to electricallyconnect spaced contact members2 and 3 which are electrically in'-sulated from the casing 1 and passed through the same vwhere they areengaged by re movable nuts 4 ande, respectively, for attaching the wiresto yan electric circuit.

A switch member 6 is provided, consisting of a plurality of resilientstrips of metal 6,

7,8 and 9, having their ends in approximate alignment adapting them forengagement with the fiat contact members 2 andB upon movement of theswitch member into the position shownin Fig. 2, for example. The switchmember 6 is carried on the end of a block 10 of insulating materialbymeans of a screw 11 and spring 12, the spring 12 serving to hold thevarious strips 6, 7, 8 and 9 in close Contact between the flanges 13vformed on the end of the block. The links 14 and 15 arepreferably inthe form of a square tube as shown or arel U-shaped although of courseeach link may be a single strip or two unconnected strips. The block 10is pivotally mounted'by means of links 14 and 15 to which is pivotallyattached the block 10 at the points 16 and 17, respecl tively, while thelinks are in turn pivotally mounted at the pointsA 18 and 19,respectively, to the casing. This block 10 is movable from left .toright and return, toward and away from the contacts 2 and 3, and

A26 engaging over a pin 27 on the block 1t),

which provides a secondloose engagement between the lever ,and theblock. A spring 28, connected to the outer end of the lever 2O and to abracket 29 at the bottom ofi the casing, serves to hold the upper'portion ot the lever 2O in engagement with the pin 27, as indicated inFig. 1. A teleseoping spring member, consisting of an outer casing 30,an inner block 31 and an intermediate spring 32, is mounted between asocket in the upper part of the casing, and a second socket 34, formedin the top of the block, the action of the spring 32 being to maintainthe block 10 either in the position shown in Fig. 1 or in the positionof Fig. 2, this spring being compressed as the telescope is brought pastits central or vertical position. The telescopingspring member isadapted to hold the block 10 ineither the open or closed position of theswitch and'to prevent accidental vmovement of the block which might movewhen the member 2O is in anintermediate position and exerting no holdingaction on ,the pin 25. Then in such intermediate position the telescopemember exerts sufficient pressure tol prevent the block from movementand the spring -28 is strong enough to move the block against thepressure of the spring 32 until it has passed itsvertical iosition.

The operation ot the switch is effected by. means of a bell crank leverpivoted about an axis 36 and having a yoke 37 formed at one end andengaging over the lower end ,38 of the lever 20. Pivotal movement ofthis bell crank lever 35 at first swings the lever 20 until one of thelugs 23 or 24% thereon engages the pin 25 on the block 10, and movesthis block past the central position of the springs 32 and 28. As soonas these springs have been brought past their control position they actto snap the block 10 through the remainder of its movement, and eitherinto the outward or disconnecting movement of. the block is limited byContact with the adjacent vvvally of the casing.

. The construction shown in Fig. v2 is similar't'o that of Fig. l,except thattlie operatA A base, alresilien-t switch member adapted ining means there consists of a bell crank lever 40 pivoted aboutk anvaxis- 41 and"noimallyl held in the position there shown'v by means of aspring 42 operating between a-'holder '43 'an'd'afsocket 44' formed -inoneend of the j lever 40. This lever 40 is operated by means 'i5 of adisk 46, having a projection 4 7 engaging in thev socket inthe lowerVarm 48 of the bell cranklever. rIhe disk 46 is in turn mounted against adiaphragm 49, 'which is 'operated upon al certain increase iny pressurein the chamber 5() on the outer lside of the diaphragm, the pressure-fluid entering" this chamber through an opening 51 therein.

The present switch mechanism is extremely simple' and inexpensive inconstruction,

and-provides a snap action which is desired switch isjopened Other modesof applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of theone explained,-change being made as re.-

be employed.; T therefore particularly pointout and distiiictly'claim asmy invention In aswitch mechanism, the combination of l a base, spacedcontacts 'mounted'on aid one position to engage and electrically connectsaid contacts, an insulating block carryingvsaid switch member at oneend, a fixed to said base and at their oppositeends tosaid insulatingblock, resilient means acting- 'against saidblock on the side oppositethe base pivots of said links, sai`dmeans being' abutment adjacentto theother end of said i block, parallel links each pivoted .at one endl'toward said 'abutment Whensaidblock has vfirst been moved to apredetermined 'posi-l tion, and means movable relativelyto lsaid blockand having. a dual lost motion con-V nection 'therewith for moving the-same to a position whereinv said resilient means Will be lbrought intoaction. 5 'y Signed by me thisl 2nd; day of February, 1923.

' EDWARDAH, WEATHERH'EAD.

